OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1),a ferroptosis inhibitor,on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI).Methods Rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes were ran-domly divided into five groups:Control group,H/R medium group,H/R medium+Fer-1 group,H/R medium+Nec-1 group,and H/R medium+emricasan group.Cell morphology was observed using electron mi-croscopy.Cell proliferation activity was assessed via CCK-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)release.I-ron ion levels were measured using an iron detection kit.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)and mitochondrial su-peroxide levels were detected by flow cytometry and MitoSOXTM fluorescence staining,respectively.Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4),nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NOX1),and cycloox-ygenase 2(COX2).Results Compared to the Control group,the H/R medium group exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity(LDH levels)and reduced cell viability,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Treatment with Fer-1,Nec-1,or emricasan in the H/R medium group increased cell adherence,reduced vacuolization,enhanced cell viability,and decreased cytotoxicity(LDH relative releasing rate)compared to the H/R medium group.Intracellular ferrous iron and total iron levels were elevated in the H/R medium group compared to the Control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05),while Fer-1 treatment sig-nificantly reduced these levels(P<0.05).ROS levels were higher in the H/R medium group than in the Con-trol group,and Fer-1 treatment attenuated this increase(P<0.05).Western blot analysis revealed elevated ACSL4,NOX1,and COX2 levels,alongside reduced GPX4 levels,in the H/R medium group compared to the Control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Fer-1 treatment reversed these trends,de-creasing ACSL4,NOX1,and COX2 levels while increasing GPX4 expression,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion Ferroptosis plays a critical role in MIRI.Fer-1 mitigates oxidative stress injury and alleviates MIRI by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Abstract The construction of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) specialty cohorts in China is still in its infancy, and the cost effectiveness is insufficient when relying on diagnostic and treatment processes of child health care to collect ample and high quality data. After 2000, the United States Simons Foundation s ASD Research Initiative, the Early ASD Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI), and the British ASD Study of Infant Siblings (BASIS), which have been built based on Internet recruitment, have provided new insight for the construction of large sample ASD specialty cohorts in China. Future research can further explore and optimize the methods of Internet recruitment, and establish a more comprehensive and accurate ASD specialty cohorts.

In order to explore the possible role and molecular mechanism of the combined action of leech and bear bile in liver and gallbladder diseases, this study first used network pharmacology methods to screen the components and targets of leech and bear bile, as well as the related target genes of liver and gallbladder diseases. The selected key genes were subjected to interaction network and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis. Then, using sodium oleate induced HepG2 cell lipid deposition model and DL-ethionine induced mouse fatty liver model, the activity of leech and bear bile alone and in combination in reducing liver fat was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and the expression of key pathway related proteins suggested by network pharmacology was detected by Western blot. The results of network pharmacology analysis showed that the active ingredients of leech and bear bile have 295 intersecting targets with liver and gallbladder related diseases, involving more than 200 signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and phospholipase D signaling pathway closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism. The results of in vitro validation experiments showed that both leech and bear bile, alone and in combination, can significantly inhibit the lipid deposition induced by sodium oleate in human liver cells, reduce the triacylglycerol level in cell culture supernatant, and inhibit the lipid content in liver cells. The observation results of Nile red staining confocal microscopy showed that the combination of leech and bear bile had better activity in reducing lipid deposition in liver cells compared to using them alone. In a mouse fatty liver model, the combination of leech and bear bile can better reduce elevated organ indices, blood lipids, and liver lipid levels, as well as lower the levels of serum liver injury biomarkers. The animals used in this experiment and related disposal meet the requirements of animal welfare. Before the experiment, it was reviewed and approved by IACUC, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The Western blot experiment results showed that the combination of leech and bear bile can significantly upregulate the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins, and increase the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios, which is consistent with the predicted results of network pharmacology. The combination of leech and bear bile has great potential for treating fatty liver disease, and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway may be one of the important mechanisms for reducing lipid deposition in liver cells.

The innate immune sensor NLRP3 inflammasome overactivation is involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. PGAM5 is a mitochondrial phosphatase involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. However, the role of PGAM5 in ulcerative colitis and the mechanisms underlying PGAM5 regulating NLRP3 activity remain unknown. Here, we show that PGAM5 deficiency ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation. By combining APEX2-based proximity labeling focused on PGAM5 with quantitative proteomics, we identify NEK7 as the new binding partner of PGAM5 to promote NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation in a PGAM5 phosphatase activity-independent manner upon inflammasome induction. Interfering with PGAM5-NEK7 interaction by punicalagin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages and ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice. Altogether, our data demonstrate the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction in macrophages for NLRP3 inflammasome activation and further provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis by blocking the PGAM5-NEK7 interaction.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To compare the clinical characteristics of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients with or without secondary subretinal fibrosis (SF).Methods:A retrospective case-control study. A total of 88 patients (92 eyes) diagnosed with nAMD at Department of Ophthalmology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled in this study. All eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA was measured using the international standard visual acuity chart and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution for statistical analysis. SF area was measured on color fundus images. OCT was used to assess the presence of shallow irregular retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) elevation, RPE detachment, ellipsoid zone/external limiting membrane disruption, subretinal fluid and/or intraretinal fluid, thinning of the inner nuclear layer or inner plexiform layer, complete RPE and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA), epiretinal membrane, and suprachoroidal fluid. Device-integrated software measured central retinal thickness (CRT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and the height and width of subfoveal fibrosis in SF eyes. Based on the presence of SF, patients were divided into the SF group (47 eyes) and the non-SF (NSF) group (45 eyes). Baseline characteristics, OCT, and color fundus photography imaging features were compared between groups. Independent samples t tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and multiple linear regression was performed to analyze potential factors influencing SF height. Results:Compared with the NSF group, the SF group had a longer disease duration, longer symptom onset to initial treatment interval to receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug treatment, a lower proportion of patients receiving 3 anti-VEGF drug injections within 6 months, worse BCVA, thicker SFCT, higher rates of pigment epithelial detachment and inner nuclear layer or inner plexiform layer thinning, and a lower rate of subretinal fluid ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in CRT or the proportions of irregular retinal pigment epithelia, ellipsoid zone/external limiting membrane disruption, cRORA, suprachoroidal fluid, or epiretinal membrane between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:nAMD eyes with secondary SF exhibit distinct OCT imaging features compared to NSF eyes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),which is essentially primary liver cancer,is closely related to CD8+T cell immune infiltration and immune suppression.We constructed a CD8+T cells related risk score model to pre-dict the prognosis of HCC patients and provided therapeutic guidance based on the risk score.Using integrated bulk RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)datasets,we identified stable CD8+T cell signatures.Based on these signatures,a 3-gene risk score model,comprised of KLRB1,RGS2,and TN-FRSF1B was constructed.The risk score model was well validated through an independent external validation co-hort.We divided patients into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the risk score and compared the differ-ences in immune microenvironment between these two groups.Compared with low-risk patients,high-risk patients have higher M2-type macrophage content(P＜0.0001)and lower CD8+T cells infiltration(P＜0.0001).High-risk patients predict worse response to immunotherapy treatment than low-risk patients(P＜0.01).Drug sensitivity a-nalysis shows that PI3K-β inhibitor AZD6482 and TGFβRII inhibitor SB505124 may be suitable therapies for high-risk patients,while the IGF-1R inhibitor BMS-754807 or the novel pyrimidine-based anti-tumor metabolic drug Gemcitabine could be potential therapeutic choices for low-risk patients.Moreover,expression of these 3-gene mod-el was verified by immunohistochemistry.In summary,the establishment and validation of a CD8+T cell-derived risk model can more accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients and guide the construction of personalized treatment plans.

Aim To investigate the antidepressant mechanism of hyperforin via the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,depres-sion model group,and hyperforin intervention group.The chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model was induced and drug interventions were administered for 28 d.Behavioral experiments were conducted to as-sess depressive symptoms,and hippocampal tissue was collected for single-cell RNA sequencing.Key cell populations and differentially expressed genes across groups were identified,followed by PPI network,GO,and KEGG enrichment analysis.Results Behavioral experiments indicated that CUMS successfully induced depressive symptoms in mice,while hyperforin im-proved depressive behavior.In the depression model group,the proportion of brain perivascular macrophages(PVM)increased,and this proportion decreased after hyperforin intervention,approaching the level seen in the control group.The top 20 common differentially ex-pressed genes in the PVM subpopulation were Saa3,Hbb-bs and Ccl24.PPI network analysis identified core targets,including Ccl2,Dhx9,C3,Msr1,Cxcl2 and Cx3cr1.KEGG enrichment analysis revealed pathways related to chemokines,phagosome formation,and inosi-tol phosphate metabolism.Conclusion The antide-pressant mechanism of hyperforin may be related to the regulation of Ccl24 and its related chemokine signaling pathway by PVM.

A mounting body of research suggests that circRNAs significantly contribute to the develop-ment of myocardial fibrosis.The microarray results of human circular RNA expression profile indicated that circHERC4_041 expression increased in the myocardium of patients with heart failure,RT-qPCR a-nalysis confirmed that the myocardial expression level of circHERC4_041 in individuals with heart failure were considerably elevated compared to that in healthy organ donors.Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)confirmed that circHERC4_041 was abundant in the cytoplasm of human cardiomyocyte AC16.Overexpression of circHERC4_041 in mouse myocardial fibroblasts(mCFs)mediated by adenovirus in-hibited the expression of fibrosis-related proteins in mCFs.Experiments involving cell proliferation,wound healing,and Transwell assays demonstrated that overexpression of circHERC4_041 suppressed the growth and mobility of mCFs(P＜0.001).Sequence analysis results suggested that circHERC4_041 con-tains potential ribosome entry sequence(IRES)and open reading frame(ORF).Western blot confirmed that circHERC4_041 could translate the 516 amino acid HERC4-516aa protein,which was mainly located in the cytoplasm of the cell.Cell functional experiments confirmed that circHERC4_041 inhibited the fi-brotic phenotype of mCFs by specifically translating HERC4-516aa(P＜0.05).The specific interaction between HERC4-516aa and transglutaminase 2(TGM2)was confirmed by IP-MS screening and Co-IP i-dentification.Further results found that the degradation of TGM2 was promoted through proteasome path-way.The overexpression of TGM2 in mCFs facilitated by adenoviral vectors could counteract the suppres-sive effects of HERC4-516aa on the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs.Therefore,this study confirmed that the HERC4-516aa protein translated by circHERC4_041 can specifically bind to TGM2 to inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of myocardial fibroblasts.